Order of Worship 6/23/24

WORSHIP OF GOD

Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 11 a.m.

PRELU DE Shall We Gather at the River Richard Elliott

Jack Mitchener, organ

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP

BAPTISM

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth

WORSHIP OF GOD

Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 11 a.m.

DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706)

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

WORSHIP OF GOD

Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 11 a.m.

OLD 100TH

Children K–5 may leave during this time for Kids Worship. Parents, please pick up your children in room C-305 of the Children's Building after the service.

PASTORAL PRAYER

WELCOME & INVOCATION

Dr. Hollingsworth

SCRIPTURE Psalm 9:9–14, 18–20 Anna Bowen (from the Inclusive Psalter)

Leader: God will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.

People: Those who know Your Name will put their trust in You, for You never forsake those who seek You, O God.

Leader: Sing praise to God Who dwells in Zion; proclaim to the peoples the things God has done.

People: The Avenger of blood will remember them; God will not forget the cry of the afflicted.

Leader: Have pity on me, O God; see the misery I suffer from those who hate me, O You who lift me up from the gate of death; So that I may tell of all Your praises and rejoice in your salvation in the gates of the city of Zion.

People: For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

Leader: Rise up, O God, let not the ungodly have the upper hand; let them be judged before You.

People: Put fear upon them, O Lord; let the ungodly know they are but mortal.

SHARING STORIES & PRAYER Ingeborg te Loo

Please refer to your Caim Prayer insert.

ANTHEM To Sing Once More Courtney Sanctuary Choir; Joy Callaway, piano

A SPDL STORY: RIDGECREST LODGE John Roma

OFFERTORY My Tribute Crouch, arr. Fettke

Jeanne Williams, soprano; Joy Callaway, piano

Rev. Allie Osborne

HYMN NO. 71 Be Thou My Vision SLANE

SCRIPTURE Acts 10:24–35 Rev. Dr. Mike Pears (p. 894–895 in your pew Bible)

SERMON Transforming Stories Dr. Pears

HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 72 BLOTT EN DAG Day by Day

Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

Rev. Jonathan Hall

Rev. Dr. Pears

God of Grace (Cwm Rhondda), Op. 14 Paul Manz Jack Mitchener, organ

SHARING STORIES TODAY

Ingeborg te Loo is Coordinator of the IBTS (International Baptist Theological Seminary) Learning Network and the current Chair of the European Baptist Federation's Mission Commission. In addition, Ingeborg has served the Dutch Baptist Union and Dutch Baptist Seminary for many years in the areas of church development and pastoral lifelong learning.

John Roma was baptized and became a member of Second-Ponce in 1979. For more than 20 years, he has sung in the Sanctuary Choir and led the Library Services Team. In addition to enthusiastically sharing SPdL history as our long-time historian, John also decorates our campus Christmas trees as well as the picture windows by the library. He enjoys gardening and collecting books, hats, shoes and porcelain. John and his partner, talented photographer Dave Randolph, have traveled extensively, visiting 28 countries together.

WE'RE "PEOPLE PEOPLE"

FOR GUESTS WE HAVEN'T MET YET

Welcome to church! Make yourself at home here! Settle in for a transformative and joyful hour of worship. We'd love to be helpful in your faith journey. There's a green card in the pew rack—I'm New Here—use it to share as much information as you like and drop it in the offering plate. We understand that some people are hesitant to fill out church cards. It's true—a member of our pastoral staff will reach out, but you won't be flooded with calls, emails or requests. Engagement with us will be at your own pace; we just want to know who you are and how we can pray for you.

FOR GUESTS WE KNOW & CHURCH MEMBERS

Welcome back to church! Your presence is part of what makes Sundays at Second-Ponce so wonderful. If you're a guest who's ready to take the next step or a church member who wants to deepen your involvement, fill out the red pew card—I'm a Regular—and drop it in the offering plate. Let us know how we can help.

MORE GOOD STUFF

EVERYONE IS AN "INSIDER" AT SPDL

We're pulling back the curtain on some experiences and words you'll encounter today.

• Doxology: The Doxology is a short hymn of praise. We use it as transition music when children leave the Sanctuary for Kids Worship.

• Inclusive Psalter: A translation of the Psalms, compiled by Young Peoples’ Theology, that maintains tradition, eliminates exclusion and welcomes a wide liturgical audience.

• Invocation: The first prayer of the service invoking the spirit of God to be with us as we worship.

• Prime Timers: Prime Timers is the name of our vibrant senior adult ministry.

• SPdL: An abbreviation for Second-Ponce de Leon. We pronounce it "Spee-duhl."

• SPdLU: An acronym for Second-Ponce de Leon University, our Wednesday evening time of adult discipleship.

• TML: Touching Miami with Love, or TML, guides children and youth spiritually, intellectually and emotionally through special programming for underserved communities in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Part of our work as their mission partner includes a yearly trip to TML to lead a week of summer camp.

CHILDCARE DURING WORSHIP

We love to see children at Second-Ponce, and we have a Kids’ Club area just for them! It's one floor up from the Sanctuary, and our greeters will be happy to show you the way. In the Kids' Club, there’s a nursery and Kids Worship for babies–5th grade. You may take your children to the Kids' Club before the service or, if you prefer, they can stay with you in the Sanctuary for the entire hour or until the Doxology (when kids leave with children's ministry leaders). After worship, pick them up in the Kids’ Club.

HOW TO JOIN

Second-Ponce enthusiastically welcomes you to make a commitment to Christ and our community of faith. At any time during the Hymn of Response, simply walk to the front of the Sanctuary where a member of our ministry team will greet you with warmth and joy. If you're uncomfortable being "in the spotlight," but still want to join–that's ok! Speak with one of our ministers after worship and they'll walk you through an alternate plan.

PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, July 10

The Pastor Search Committee should be a microcosm of our church family and represent a balance of perspectives, engagement, relationships and strengths. Potential committee members should approach this work willing to follow where the Spirit leads and with a clear focus on the broader vision and best interest of Second-Ponce. After prayerful consideration, use the nomination form to submit candidates for consideration. Hard copies of the form are in the Welcome Center and the digital version is online at www.spdl.org/pastorsearch.

& SPDLU

Wednesday, June 26 | Supper at 5 p.m.; SPdLU at 6 Fellowship Hall & On Zoom Meal Cost: $8/adult; $5/child

God gives each of us strengths, and throughout our spiritual journeys, God calls us to use those strengths in our everyday life. In our June SPdLU series, Call Stories, one minister and one member of the SPdL congregation will share the ways and opportunities God called them to use their gifts in everyday life. In this finale, we'll hear from Bill Gabbard and Becky Smith. Supper Menu: Stuffed chicken breast (spinach/cheese) yellow rice, broccoli, salad & dessert. RSVP by Noon, Monday, June 24, at www.spdl.org/rsvp.

WOMEN'S SUMMER SOIREE

Thursday, June 27 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Becky Smith’s House | Brookhaven Ladies, let’s celebrate sweet summertime with a fun evening together! Bring an appetizer or salad to share. Sign up at www.spdl.org/rsvp by Tuesday, June 25.

PRIME TIMERS' PEACH TRIP

Tuesday, July 9 | 9:15 a.m.–5:30/6 p.m. | Cost: $20 (peaches are extra) SPdL seniors, let’s meet in the church parking lot at 9:15 a.m. to hop on the bus and head out on our annual peach trip! We’ll have lunch at Bulloch House and then visit Dickey Farms for a peach packing tour, and our favorites: peach ice cream and hand pies, rocking chairs and fresh peaches for the road.

To secure your spot, bring your $20 (cash or check) to Vicki McCaskey in the church office or register online via credit card at www.spdl.org/give. Select “Prime Timers’ Activity” from the dropdown menu and specify “Peach Trip.”

JULY CALENDAR REMINDERS:

• Wednesday evening activities and Fellowship Supper are paused for the month of July.

• Adult combined Sunday School is scheduled for Sunday, July 7.

• Our July Church in Conference is Sunday, July 21. Stay tuned for details.

• Back to School Sunday is July 28.

13 DAYS UNTIL MIAMI

Saturday, July 6, our team of church members will be leaving to lead a week of summer camp at Touching Miami with Love. In addition to your prayers of support, they could still use funds to help cover the costs of this beloved experience.

As you're able, please consider giving a financial donation toward trip expenses using one of the methods below:

• Visit www.spdl.org/give and select "TML Trip" from the fund dropdown menu.

• Complete an offering envelope and drop your donation in the offering plate.

• Scan the QR code or use the locked drop box at the TML display in the Welcome Center.

Note: If you're donating by check, please put "TML Trip" in the memo line.

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF THE SPDL RIDGECREST LODGE

Join us in celebrating the 60th birthday of SPdL's Ridgecrest Lodge in Black Mountain, N.C!

In 1964, on some land 20 minutes from Asheville, Second-Ponce built this Blue Ridge respite as a place of spiritual refreshment for church members and groups.

Pictured to the right is the SPdL newsletter from October 18, 1964, announcing the dedication of the lodge.

The lodge, a 3.5-hour drive from Atlanta, has eight bedrooms, each with its own private bath. There's a large great room with a kitchen and a fireplace and a big screened porch looking out on the mountains with plenty of rocking chairs. Ridgecrest is open from Easter to mid-November and is available—for very reasonable rental fees—for Second-Ponce members and their guests. If you're interested in learning more, stop by the information table near the Library after worship or email ridgecrest@spdl.org.

WEEK AT A GLANCE

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

12 p.m. Ridgecrest Lodge Info Table

MONDAY, JUNE 24

12 p.m. Fellowship Supper RSVP Due

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

End of Day Women's Summer Soiree RSVP Due

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

5

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 CONTINUED 7:05 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, JUNE 27 6:30 p.m. Women's Summer Soiree

SATURDAY, JUNE 29 7:30 a.m. Habitat for Humanity Build

SUNDAY, JUNE 30 9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Study for All Ages

Growing in Christ and community–sharing God's love in the world.

TO Sunday WORSHIP

Rev. Dr. Mike Pears is the Director of the International Baptist Theological Study Centre in Amsterdam. He has been involved in urban theology and church planting for almost four decades exploring and researching new approaches to mission and Christian presence in deprived and marginalized neighborhoods.